Disposable Toilet Overspray Shield and Funnel

ABSTRACT

A disposable spray shield to assist individuals, especially males, with the standing use of toilet facilities. The disposable spray shield serves to contain urine overspray from an individual standing in front of a toilet. The device may be placed and positioned on, or removed from, the toilet. The device is a truncated cone of flexible, coated fiber board or paperboard material, with a large U-shaped space formed in one side. The narrow end of the cone is inserted into the toilet and extends into the toilet basin. The device is preferably constructed from a medium weight flexible coated fiber board sheet, attached back onto itself at corner tabs near the narrow end of the cone. Handle cutouts may be positioned near the upper perimeter of the cone. An arrangement of slots and tabs are used to secure the fiber board sheet back onto itself at the lower perimeter.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED PATENT & APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under Title 35 United States Code §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/418,576; Filed: Nov. 7, 2016; the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. This application is related to, and provides alternate embodiments to, the devices described and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,139,995; issued Sep. 22, 2015; as well as the devices described in Patent Application Publication No. US 2016/0108609; published Apr. 21, 2016, the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/861,987 filed Sep. 22, 2015 the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to devices for assisting individuals with the use of toilet facilities and bedside commodes. The present invention relates more specifically to a portable and disposable spray shield configured to assist male individuals, especially young and elderly male individuals, with the standing (as opposed to seated) use of toilet facilities and bedside commodes.

2. Description of the Related Art

There are many devices designed to assist individuals with using toilet facilities. Most devices in this field have focused on assisting individuals with movement to and from a seated position on a toilet. Other devices provide elevated toilet seats that allow individuals to use the toilet facility without the necessity of moving to a low seated position. While the present invention is concerned with assisting individuals with the use of toilet facilities, its focus is on improving such use by male individuals standing in front of a toilet or a bedside commode.

While most all male individuals must take some care in using a toilet from a standing position, some male individuals, especially young boys and elderly men, often find it quite difficult to fully confine the stream of urine to the narrow opening of the toilet bowl. Some individuals with special needs involving muscle control, stability, and balance may have an even more difficult time directing and confining urine within the perimeter of the toilet bowl.

Efforts that have been made in the past to address the above described problems have fallen short for a number of reasons. Most suffer from cost and complexity issues and are simply too expensive to manufacture and purchase. Others fail because they are difficult to place and position in the toilet bowl or are designed to remain in place to be collapsed or moved to the side to allow seated use of the toilet. There is a need for a simple, easily removable, toilet splash guard that is low in cost, disposable, and requires no tools to install or remove. It would be desirable if the splash guard could be easily manufactured from inexpensive (but still rugged) disposable materials. It would be desirable if the splash guard provided a safe but effective means for fully containing urine overspray within the confines of the toilet bowl.

There is therefore a need for portable and disposable versions of the type of splash guard described in the U.S. Patent and Published Patent Application identified above. Travel and/or temporary stays away from home would benefit from a disposable splash guard that did not require cleaning but which could simply be disposed of after a number of uses. It would be desirable if such a disposable splash guard could be inexpensive to manufacture and yet strong enough to hold up over a week or more of use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In fulfillment of the above stated objectives the present invention provides a disposable device configured to assist male individuals, especially young male individuals, with the standing (as opposed to seated) use of toilet facilities. The device of the present invention is a funnel for containing any urine overspray from a male individual standing in front of a toilet, especially a young male child who might have difficulty directing the urine stream into the toilet. Key elements of the device include its simplicity of construction, its large size, and its ease of placement on the toilet. The device comprises a truncated cone of flexible, coated, cardboard or fiber board material, with a large V-shaped or U-shaped space formed in one side of the cone. The narrow end of the truncated cone is inserted into the toilet and is sized so as to extend to some distance into the toilet basin or bowl. The device may preferably be constructed from a large, approximately rectangular sheet of medium weight flexible cardboard that is coated on a least one surface and is formed into a cone and attached back onto itself at a point near the narrow end of the truncated cone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the sheet of material used to construct a first disposable embodiment of the overspray shield and funnel device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the sheet of material used to construct a second (larger) disposable embodiment of the overspray shield and funnel device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the second (larger) disposable embodiment of the overspray shield and funnel device of the present invention, shown in an assembled configuration.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of one type of sheet material appropriate for construction of the disposable embodiment of the overspray shield and funnel device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As summarized above, the device of the present invention is a disposable funnel for catching and containing any urine overspray from a male individual standing in front of a toilet, especially a young male child who might have difficulty directing the urine stream into the toilet. In the ideal environment, the device may be alternately maintained in the toilet or in an adjacent retainer (such as a shower or tub) where it may be stored in between uses. Once again, the goal of the invention is to create a simple, inexpensive to manufacture, structure that is highly functional and effective in containing urine overspray and directing it into the toilet bowl, and which may be disposed of after a number of uses.

Disposable Embodiments

Reference made to FIGS. 1 & 2 for a detailed description of two alternate preferred embodiments of the disposable overspray shield of the present invention. FIG. 1 discloses in detail the structure and shape of first (medium sized) flexible panel 12 that is used to assemble the overspray shield 10 of this disposable preferred embodiment. Although generally formed from a rectangular flexible cardboard panel, specific alterations are made to the shape to facilitate not only its assembly, but the resultant three dimensional structure that forms the side access trough shown in FIG. 3. Flexible panel 12, cut as shown in FIG. 1, specifically incorporates crossover corners 14 a & 14 b that extend as pointed arrow shaped tabs from the lower corners of flexible panel 12. Each crossover corner 14 a & 14 b incorporates one half of an arrangement of slots and tabs 18 a & 18 b as shown. The arrangement of slots and tabs 18 a & 18 b is such that when crossover corners 14 a & 14 b are directed towards each other and overlapped as shown in FIG. 3, the point of corner 14 b may be inserted into the longer of slots 18 a while tab 18 b may be secured into the shorter of slots 18 a, again as shown in FIG. 3.

Although the lower and upper edges of flexible panel 12 may generally be straight and parallel, the side edges are structured with curves 16 a & 16 b in the manner that directs the curved wing extensions of the panel towards the user in a configuration best seen in FIG. 3. These side curves 16 a & 16 b define the formation of the side access trough (again, see FIG. 3) and thereby allow the user to more closely move into the side access trough for best use of overspray shield 10.

Overspray shield 10 is preferably constructed from a flexible sheet 12 of SBS waterproof two sided chip board. Solid Bleached Sulfate (SBS) is a type of paperboard usually coated on each side. Chip board is typically a paperboard with non-virgin fiber content although this composition is not necessarily the case. SBS, sometimes called bleached paperboard, is a premium paperboard grade produced from furnish typically containing at least 80 percent virgin bleached wood pulp. Most bleached paperboard is coated with a thin layer of kaolin clay to improve its printing surface and may also be coated with polyethylene (PE) resin for wet strength food packaging. Alternately, the foundation for the paper board material may be 200 E Kraft corrugated fiber board or the like, again coated on at least one side thereof.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is preferably constructed from a medium sized sheet of material (24 inches high by 45.75 inches wide) as in FIG. 1. The method of manufacture includes the steps of cutting the core rectangle for the pattern shown in FIG. 1, followed by cutting the side curved edges and the lower corner tabs. The handle apertures 20 a & 20 b and the arrangement of slots and tabs 18 a & 18 b are then cut or punched through the material. Handle apertures 20 a & 20 b may preferably have dimensions D₁ (5.25 inches) and D₂ (1.5 inches). Slots 18 a may preferably be positioned at a distance D₃ (4 inches) from the corner and a distance D₄ (2.44 inches) apart as shown.

FIG. 2 discloses in detail the structure and shape of second (large sized) flexible panel 32 that is used to assemble the overspray shield 30 of this disposable preferred embodiment. Although generally formed from a rectangular flexible cardboard panel, specific alterations are made to the shape to facilitate not only its assembly, but the resultant three dimensional structure that forms the side access trough shown in FIG. 3. Flexible panel 32, cut as shown in FIG. 2, specifically incorporates crossover corners 34 a & 34 b that extend as pointed arrow shaped tabs from the lower corners of flexible panel 32. Each crossover corner 34 a & 34 b incorporates one half of an arrangement of slots and tabs 38 a & 38 b as shown. The arrangement of slots and tabs 38 a & 38 b is such that when crossover corners 34 a & 34 b are directed towards each other and overlapped as shown in FIG. 3, the point of corner 34 b may be inserted into the longer of slots 38 a while tab 38 b may be secured into the shorter of slots 38 a, again as shown in FIG. 3. The slot and tab arrangement 42 shown in FIG. 3 may, of course be engaged with the corners 14 a & 14 b overlapping in the revers manner (14 a on the outside of 14 b).

Although the lower and upper edges of flexible panel 32 may generally be straight and parallel, the side edges are structured with curves 36 a & 36 b in the manner that directs the curved wing extensions of the panel towards the user in a configuration best seen in FIG. 3. These side curves 36 a & 36 b define the formation of the side access trough (again, see FIG. 3) and thereby allow the user to more closely move into the side access trough for best use of overspray shield 30.

Overspray shield 30 is preferably constructed from a flexible sheet 32 of SBS waterproof two sided chip board. Alternately, the foundation for the paper board material may be 200 E Kraft corrugated fiber board or the like, again coated on at least one side thereof. Reference is made to FIG. 4 for a cross-sectional view of one example of the type of fiber board 32 appropriate for use with the present invention. In this cross-sectional view, fiber board 32 is made up of 200 E Kraft board 46 with a PE coating 44 and an optional printable layer 48 on the opposite face.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is preferably constructed from a large sized sheet of material (32 inches high by 45.75 inches wide) as in FIG. 2. The method of manufacture includes the steps of cutting the core rectangle for the pattern shown in FIG. 2, followed by cutting the side curved edges and the lower corner tabs. The handle apertures 40 a & 40 b and the arrangement of slots and tabs 38 a & 38 b are then cut or punched through the material. Handle apertures 40 a & 40 b may preferably have dimensions D₅ (5.25 inches) and D₆ (1.5 inches). Slots 38 a may preferably be positioned at a distance D₇ (4 inches) from the corner and a distance D₉ (2.44 inches) apart as shown.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the disposable embodiment of the overspray shield and funnel device of the present invention shown in an assembled configuration. Overspray shield 30 is a large, generally open sided, cone-shaped device, preferably constructed of a single paper board sheet or panel 32 that is cut according to a predetermined pattern (see FIG. 2 for example) and then attached back onto itself at two specifically configured lower corners. Flexible panel 32 is folded back on itself at these lower corners and secured using the arrangement of slots and tabs 38 a & 38 b as shown in FIGS. 1 & 2. The arrangement of slots and tabs 38 a & 38 b as shown is but one type of structure that incorporates a tab 38 b that may be pressed through from the outside (as in FIG. 3) through the corresponding shorter of the two slots 38 a one lower corner 34 a of flexible panel 32 to the other 34 b. Other types of slot and tab arrangements are anticipated. Insofar as the overspray shield 30 is to be generally packaged and shipped in a flat, unassembled condition, these slot and tab elements are preferably structured to be single use attachment devices that are secured by the consumer in the assembly process.

The overlap of bottom corners that creates the bottom opening and the pattern structure of flexible panels 12 & 32, provide for a large side access trough formed just above the overlapping area of the panel. The average height of side access trough, once overspray shields 10 & 30 are positioned within a standard toilet bowl, is such to allow the user to stand and approach the device and still generally be surrounded by the walls of the shield on all sides and to a significant height. This disposable embodiment structures shown in FIGS. 1 & 2 provides greater access to the user and still maintains a fully encompassing overspray shield. In addition, these pattern structures of flexible panels 12 & 32 establish smoother U-shaped curves to the side access trough that reduce the possibility of direct contact between the user and the edge of flexible panel 12 or flexible panel 32.

Disposable overspray shields 10 & 30 shown in FIGS. 1 & 2 are designed and structured to fit within the standard geometry of typical toilets having elliptical, or elongated elliptical, toilet bowl openings. The resultant base diameter is sized to allow insertion into the toilet bowl opening (with the lid and toilet seat raised) and to remain secure therein during use. Further embodiments are anticipated that reduce this base diameter to accommodate bedside commodes and toilet seat risers.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of the foregoing preferred embodiments, this description has been provided by way of explanation only, and is not intended to be construed as a limitation of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize modifications of the present invention that might accommodate specific individual needs (based on the individual user's abilities) or specific toilet configurations. While the device is flexible enough to accommodate toilet bowls (and/or toilet seats), as well as bedside commodes and toilet seat risers, that might vary in diameter and shape, it may be desirable to alter the geometry of the flat panel from which the cone shape is constructed so as to better fit certain toilet designs. Toilets are known, for example, to come in designs with oval seat opening having a long diameter only slightly larger than the short diameter, as well as designs with greatly elongated openings where the long diameter (typically front to back on the toilet seat) is significantly longer than the width diameter (side to side). Such modifications, where they are coincidental to the needs of the individual or the specific configuration of the toilet being used, do not necessarily depart from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

We claim:
 1. A disposable toilet overspray shield for use with a toilet for standing urination, the toilet having a bowl and/or seat presenting an open, generally elliptical rim, in a plane generally parallel with a support surface on which the toilet is positioned, the toilet overspray shield comprising: a curved shield comprising a single wall funnel shaped panel of coated fiber board material, defining a partially open side, an open discontinuous upper rim defining an inlet opening, and a closed continuous lower rim defining an outlet opening; wherein the lower rim of the funnel may be removably positioned within the generally elliptical rim of the toilet bowl to support the funnel upright with the outlet opening directed into the toilet bowl, and wherein the funnel may be oriented to position the partially open side to receive standing urination into the funnel. 